Technology keynote outlines how the rapid development of mass market consumer devices will only increase the demand for higher accuracy and dual frequency GNSS transmission solutions, such as those offered by Galileo.

The European Union Space Programme’s notable presence at the 33rd GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides delivers his keynote speech, “The next big thing! Exploring the latest technology trends shaping the positioning solutions of the future,” at the 33rd Annual Space Symposium Space Symposium (April 3-6) – the world’s premier space event – included a keynote address presented by Carlo des Dorides, Executive Director of the European GNSS Agency (GSA). As part of the conference’s popular Tech Track session, des Dorides framed for the audience the findings of the GSA’s recently issued and first GNSS User Technology Report, specifically what lies ahead in the GNSS chipset and receiver domain and the trends transforming the GNSS landscape of tomorrow.

His remarks outlined how the application of GNSS technology toward mass market of consumer devices, transport and public safety, and accurate asset management timing for business will only increase the demand for higher accuracy and adoption of dual frequency transmission solutions, such as those offered by Galileo (E1/L1 + E5/L5).

“In recent years, GNSS technology has experienced a period of rapid development – both on the side of global constellations and user receivers,” explained des Dorides “With this development, EGNOS and Galileo are becoming increasingly present in GNSS receivers, providing enhanced performance to users both in Europe and worldwide. Even with the increased deployment of other positioning technologies, because it is the most widespread and cost-effective source of location information, GNSS will remain at the core of all positioning technology.”

Other GNSS technology projections offered during the keynote:

  • Nearly 65% of all chipsets and modules currently on the market support multiple constellations.
  • Within the next few years it is expected that 100% of all new devices will be multi-constellation capable.
  • The leaders in multi-constellation capability are mass market receivers and high accuracy professional receivers, with nearly 30% already capable of using the four available global constellations.
  • Receivers targeting such safety-critical applications as aviation must wait for new technologies to be proven and new standards or regulations to become available prior to implementing them.
  • In terms of supported frequencies, 30% of all receivers implement more than one frequency, mostly in high precision.
  • In the mass market, the chipset supply chain is extremely consolidated, with a few players worldwide driving innovation.
  • For liability and safety critical transport solutions, a consolidated industry with an important European presence dominates innovation in automotive, maritime and aviation, while new players are expected to emerge in such new applications as autonomous vehicles.
  • In high precision, timing and asset management, the suppliers are specialised in various professional fields, although their products are based on a relatively low number of GNSS chipsets.

“GNSS user technology is, now more than ever, answering the needs of ubiquity, automation and secure positioning,” concluded des Dorides. “Further innovations and new developments in continuous location service will only continue to provide the opportunity for a better quality of life, as well as economic and commercial benefits.”

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